Original English Lady Cricketers' Photogravure Plate 1890

The original English Lady Cricketers' photogravure plate from James Lillywhites' cricket Annual 1890, overall 11.5 x 17 cm. The first women's Cricket Club was formed in 1887 in Yorkshire, named the white Heather club. In 1890, a team known as the 'Original English Lady Cricketers', toured England, playing in exhibition matches to large crowds. The team was highly successful until its manager absconded with the profits, forcing the ladies to disband. Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual for 1890 published this photograph of the team and a short article on women's cricket. 'As an exercise, cricket is probably not so severe as lawn tennis, and it is certainly not so dangerous as hunting or skating, and if, therefore, the outcome of the present movement is to induce ladies more generally to play cricket, we shall consider that a good result has been attained.